Lakers Defy Injury Woes to Reach 50-Win Milestone

LA becomes first 21st century team to win 50+ games with 4 starters under 65 games played.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, geometric shapes in the Lakers' colors of purple, gold, and black.The Lakers' patchwork lineup overcame injuries to key starters, achieving a rare 50-win season through sheer determination and teamwork.Los Angeles Today

Despite constant lineup changes due to injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers have achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first NBA team in the 21st century to win 50 or more games in a season, despite four of their five regular starters playing fewer than 65 games. The Lakers finished the regular season with a 52-29 record, securing a playoff spot on March 31.

Why it matters

Winning 50 games is an elite accomplishment in the NBA, as teams typically rely on their healthy star players to reach that milestone. The Lakers' ability to overcome significant injury issues and still achieve this feat is a testament to the team's depth, coaching, and resilience.

The details

The Lakers' four starters who missed the 65-game minimum requirement for postseason awards were LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves. Despite these absences, the team managed to secure the 4th seed in the Western Conference and the 1st seed in the Pacific Division. This marks consecutive 50-win seasons under coach JJ Redick, a feat the franchise has not accomplished since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.

  • The Lakers reached the 50-win mark on March 31, 2026, after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • Luka Dončić is currently in Spain receiving specialized treatment for a hamstring strain.
  • Austin Reaves is sidelined with an oblique strain and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks.

The players

LeBron James

A star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who missed a significant number of games due to injury this season.

Anthony Davis

Another key starter for the Lakers who was sidelined for multiple games due to injury.

Luka Dončić

The Lakers' starting point guard who is currently receiving treatment for a hamstring strain in Spain.

Austin Reaves

A Lakers starter who is sidelined with an oblique strain and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks.

JJ Redick

The head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has led the team to consecutive 50-win seasons.

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What they’re saying

“This marks consecutive 50-win seasons under the coach JJ Redick, a feat this franchise has not achieved since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.”

— Utsav Sinha, Author

What’s next

The Lakers will face the No. 5 seed Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. Los Angeles will hold home-court advantage for Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. The biggest question is whether Dončić and Reaves will be healthy enough to contribute.

The takeaway

The Lakers' ability to overcome significant injury challenges and still achieve a 50-win season is a remarkable accomplishment that showcases the team's depth, coaching, and resilience. As they prepare for the playoffs, the health of their key players will be crucial in determining how far they can go.